Sean Strickland suffered 'kick in the nuts' from Khamzat Chimaev, reveals Dana White
Sean Strickland suffered a kick from Khamzat Chimaev during UFC 328 press conference, confirmed by Dana White.
Dana White has confirmed that Arman Tsarukyan will serve as the backup fighter for the Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje lightweight title fight at the UFC White House event.
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DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 22: Arman Tsarukyan of Georgia poses for a photo with middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev after his victory against Dan Hooker of New Zealand in a lightweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at ABHA Arena on November 22, 2025 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Arman Tsarukyan has gotten his wish.
The controversial lightweight fighter has been everywhere over the past five months except the UFC Octagon. Heās grappled at events from Moscow to Armenia to Brazil and America. Heās grown his social media following multiple times. And now heāll be the backup fighter for the Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje lightweight unification title fight at the UFC White House.
Tsarukyan had previously spoken about his hope of being on call for the historic event, but it was only last night (Thu. May 7, 2026) that UFC CEO Dana White confirmed Armanās position.
āArman is the backup for the White House fight,ā White told Nina Drama on a stream. āIf anything happens to that fight, Arman is in there. So ⦠there you go.ā
Tsarukyan canāt seem to go anywhere without there being some craziness afoot. Heās been in the UFC doghouse for a while over punching a fan at UFC 300, of a title fight at the last minute, and headbutting Dan Hooker and breaking his nose the day before their main event. Even his grappling appearances have and bizarre behavior, like when he launched Urijah Faber off a wrestling platform
Arman Tsarukyan is the backup fighter because he expressed his desire to participate in the event and UFC CEO Dana White confirmed his position.
The Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje fight is scheduled to take place at the UFC White House event, although the exact date is not specified in the announcement.
Before this announcement, Arman Tsarukyan has been grappling at various events across multiple countries and growing his social media following.
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But the numbers donāt lie: Arman is a hot property on account of these shenanigans and White finally gave him his due rather than criticism.
āThe run that heās been on has been impressive,ā White said. āThatās what you do. When you end up sideways and you do some dumb sāt, get out there and make people want to see you. And he has definitely done that. Thatās a fact.ā
His reward: a potential step-in fight at the White House. As for his own guaranteed fight? It could be a while. It seems like Tsarukyan is dead set on fighting for the title next, which would happen maybe four months after June. And then what happens if Topuria moves up to welterweight to fight Islam Makhachev? More waiting and / or another interim?
In the meantime, you can catch Tsarukyan at Real American Freestyle cards. āAhalkalaketsā will wrestle Mugzy (Keelon Jimison on May 30th and then Tony Ferguson on June 13th ⦠if the June 14th White House card doesnāt take him out of that particular match-up.